Well my Canadian friends, it’s that time of the year again.  Clinique gift with purchase (GWP) at Sears!  I am a huge Clinique lover, having used their Three-Step System since I was 16, I have had my abundance of gift with purchases with the brand.  I typically only buy Clinique at Sears so I often hold out for these freebies that they promote twice a year (spring and fall).

I often find the Sears GWP isn’t as good as The Bay and often it’s the same product promoted time and time again.  This one is no exception.  This set (free with a C$26.50 Clinique purchase) is available in two shades, a pink one and a brown one.  Everything is the same except for the lipstick and the eyeshadows.  My mom actually picked this one up so she chose the pink set, I probably would have done the same too. Here’s what it includes:

• All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage (5 ml)
• Clarifying Lotion 2 (60 ml)
• Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent (60 ml)
• High Impact Mascara in black (3.5 ml)
• Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo in pinks or nudes
• Different Lipstick in Shy or Think Bronze (4 g)
• Clinique exclusive bag

If you are new to Clinique then this is a great set to have.  I personally own all of these products (except this particular shade of lipstick) so nothing here is new to me.  The eyeshadow duo is in the same old shade they always promote, Strawberry Fudge, which is pretty, but already having like a million of these already, well, it’s just more eyeshadow I don’t need.  I do use their eye makeup remover and clarifying lotion 2, so these were good samples to have.  As for the eye roller and mascara, I already have samples of these already so they aren’t products that I need.  With that being said though, they are good products, so if you haven’t tried them yet, the set will probably be worth it to you.  Plus, the bag in this set is uber cute (not that I don’t have enough makeup bags already though).

As for the lipstick, I have a beef with Clinique and their GWP lippies. They always give out the darkest shades.  Like come on, throw in a nude or pink.  I don’t find dark colours flattering on me at all and I can’t think of one Sears GWP that included a lighter colour lipstick.  The one that comes with the pink set is called Shy and although it looks dark, it goes on sheerer than it actually is, which is nice, but still a little too berry for my complexion.

Overall, I’m mixed about this set.  There is nothing in here that is new, but with that being said, if you are new to the brand, this one would be great for you because it presents a nice mix of products from Clinique. For me personally, I like the Sears fall 2011 bag way better. I miss the good ol’ days where they would include the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion in every set (remember when it actually came in a mini bottle?) but the Clarifying Lotion will have to do I guess.  Plus, it would be great for travelling.  Same goes with the makeup remover, which honestly, you can never have too much of anyways.

Did you pick up Sears Canada’s Clinique gift with purchase spring 2012?  If so, let me know your thoughts!

Also, don’t forget to enter my huge Dove giveaway!  * Canadians and Americans only, must be a subscriber!

Like what you read? Check out these related posts:

• Sears Canada Clinique gift with purchase November 2011
• Banish those under-eye circles
• The Cult Collection: Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
• Makeup be gone: the hunt to find the best makeup remover

Mint green was a super hot trend last summer, with basically every nail polish company promoting a shade.  I didn’t get a chance to pick one up but it’s been on my list for a while.  I attended a beauty trade show a couple of weeks ago and Essie had a booth there so naturally I was attracted to it like a fly on light.  I was actually eyeing this shade before I went to the booth and when I talked with a rep she said that Mint Candy Apple is the most popular colour right now.  That pretty much sealed the deal, so I picked up a bottle.

Mint Candy Apple is more vibrant than Essie’s Absolutely Shore, but not as blue-toned as China Glaze’s Aquadelic.  It’s also not as turquoise as Essie’s Turquoise and Caicos.

The polish applies quite streaky but I got it pretty opaque after two coats.  It also has lasted me a few days before some minimal chipping.  As always, I used Seche Vite base coat with OPI Top Coat.

If you are in the market for a mint green, I would definitely recommend this one.  I personally haven’t seen it in stores so I’m not sure if consumers can still pick it up.  My bottle of this polish was different from the other Essie bottles I own, maybe because this one is for salon use?  I did buy it directly from the distributor.  If you can’t find it in stores, maybe try a salon that uses Essie, you might find it there.

Have you tried Essie’s Mint Candy Apple?  What were your thoughts?

Also, don’t forget to enter my huge Dove giveaway!  * Canadians and Americans only, must be a subscriber!

Like what you read? Check out these related posts:

• NOTD: Julep Sofia with Essie’s Absolutely Shore
• NOTD: China Glaze Aquadelic
• Tag: My nail polish obsessions
• April 2011 favourites

So I was in the market for a new bag a couple of months ago and I’ve had my eye on the Marc by Marc Jacobs Hillier Classic Q Hobo for over a year now.  I wanted a bag that had a shoulder strap and was functional while still stylish.  The only other shoulder bag I have is my Coach Kristin one that I got two years ago in Mexico.

The thing that I love about the Hillier is the fact that it’s a simple bag.  The hobo style is big enough to carry all my essentials but simple enough to carry anywhere.

Anyways, this brings me to about two months ago when I picked it up at Ogilvy in Montreal.  We have this bag in my city but they only carry it at Aritzia, and at the time they only had it in black.  When I travel I usually buy one expensive purchase which, on my last few trips it’s always been bags.  I don’t typically like spending a whole lot of money in my city because it takes all the fun out of buying it elsewhere (I like to think of these things as souvenirs), plus I always have money set aside to spend on while on my travels and I like buying investment purchases rather than just clothes as they will last longer than something I will get sick of easily.  Plus designer bags typically go up in price as the years go on.

Excuse the lost look haha

The Hillier hobo comes in two sizes, the Classic Q (which is the one I got) and a larger size.  I chose the Classic Q because i’m short, plus I don’t carry that much stuff so I didn’t need a gigantic bag.  I chose the colour brown (espresso) but it comes in a whole variety of shades.  I was torn between the bone colour and the brown but in the end I decided to go with the latter because it’s more functional and plus I didn’t want to risk getting colour transfer on the back (this happened slightly on my Coach).

The bag is made from pebbled Italian cow leather but don’t be fooled, it’s actually made in Indonesia.  Regardless, it’s a smooth, supple leather that goes softer and creamer with time and use. Mine has gold hardware on it although I have seen some colours with the silver. There isn’t a ton of hardware, rings that hold the straps and a plaque on the front.  Inside there is a magnetic closure (super strong too) and a zipper pocket, a cell phone pocket and another smaller pocket (for lipsticks, keys, or pens).  As for the lining, it’s black and white with the monogram Marc by Marc Jacobs all over.  As dark and deep at the bag is, it’s actually surprisingly easy to find things.
The handbag has two straps, a shorter one that can be held either by hand, in the crook of your arm, or over your shoulder, as well as a slightly longer one.  The longer strap isn’t a full cross body one though; you can wear it across but it’s a tight fit, it sits a little ways down the middle of your torso (it measures at seven inches). The bag also comes with a white felt dust bag with the Marc by Marc Jacobs logo on the front.

So would I recommend this bag? Yes, it’s definitely my go-to bag for the spring and summer and it’s so simple that you can wear it everywhere.  It is a bit pricier compared to other MBMJ bags out there, retailing at C$445/ $428 USD (the brown one when I got it was for some reason $5 cheaper), but compared to other designer bags like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Balenciaga, Gucci, etc., it’s quite reasonable.  Personally, I think it’s worth it because if you take good care of it, it will last forever, plus it’s a timeless shape  and colour that will never go out of style. Also, like I mentioned before, designer bags typically always go up in price, never down.  But with that being said, you can find this bag on sale (although rarely on staple colours) and it’s often, if not always, included in department store friends and family sales (such as the 20 per cent off Saks Friends and Family sale on now until Sunday, April 29.  Use code FRIENDS at checkout.  Plus, 6% cash back through Ebates when you order online).

If you are interested in buying this bag and you are Canadian and don’t want to shop online, Holt Renfrew is having their Spring Bloom promo on April 28 & 29, 2012 where you can get 25 per cent of your purchases (before tax) back in gift cards (redeemable in stores from April 30 to May 31, 2012), so therefore you would get $111.25 to use towards your next purchase at Holts (some exclusions apply).  Pretty good deal if you ask me, I can think of a ton of things I would put that hundred or so dollars towards.

Do you have the Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier Hobo?  If so, what are your thoughts?

Also, don’t forget to enter my huge Dove giveaway!  * Canadians and Americans only, must be a subscriber!

Like what you read? Check out these related posts:

• Montreal beauty haul
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• The Holiday Collection: Coach Wristlet
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